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PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Dennis Daugaard announced this afternoon that he has reached an agreement with the National Park Service to re-open Mount Rushmore for the duration of the federal government shutdown.

“Visitors from around the world come to the Black Hills to see Mount Rushmore, and I’m pleased that our nation’s Shrine to Democracy will be re-opened,” said Gov. Daugaard. “I appreciate the willingness of the National Park Service to partner with us to operate the monument.”

The National Park Service will charge the state $15,200 per day to operate the monument. The monument will re-open Monday morning at 8 a.m. MDT.

Partners from across South Dakota have stepped forward to “buy a day” of operation of Mount Rushmore:

The Mount Rushmore Society,

Rapid City CVB / BID Board,

Black Hills Central Reservations,

West River Foundation,

Lawrence & Schiller,

Lantis Enterprises, Inc.,

Neiman Enterprises, Inc.,

J. Scull Construction Service, Inc.,

Avera Health,

First PREMIER Bank/PREMIER Bankcard,

MDU Resources,

Sanford Health,

ISIS Hospitality,

Wall Drug, and

One anonymous donor.

“Visitors from across the world will be able to enjoy Mount Rushmore because of the generosity of these partners,” said Gov. Daugaard. “I am grateful for their unhesitating commitment.”